Cashel beat Greystones 23-10

Peter Silke
On Saturday last a full programme of All Ireland League games took place throughout the country in round 16. In Division 2A all ten teams had something to play for - some trying to avoid relegation, some fighting to get into the playoffs. Nenagh, even though they were beaten are assured of winning the league and will be automatically promoted as they are ten points ahead of second placed Barnhall and have a huge points difference and only two games to be played. Greystones came to Cashel in danger of relegation. Cashel needed a win to hold on to third position. They started the game minus a number of key players but went about their task and secured a very important win to keep their campaign on track. Conditions were dry but a strong, cold wind blew down the field to the clubhouse end. Cashel played against it in the first half.
Greystones did not delay going into the attack as they used the strong wind to kick deep into Cashel territory. Cashel were penalised for holding on and and within a minute were three points behind. They quickly recovered with Brendan Ryan breaking to the opposition twenty two. The attack yielded nothing but play was brought back to half way for a penalty to Cashel for a late tackle. Cashel were penalised twice at the breakdown and valuable ground was lost which was hard earned against the strong wind. Gradually the big men in the pack, Mikey Wilson, Brendan Crosse Brian O'Connor and Ed Kelly, the Ryan twins, Philip Ryan and Cormac O'Donnell made some crucial carries. They were awarded a penalty after twenty five minutes and Ryan O'Sullivan levelled the game. In the second quarter Cashel got on top in the scrum and carried the game to Greystones who defended well against the onslaught. Five minutes before half time Cashel went ahead with another Ryan O'Sullivan penalty. Back came Greysyones with a number of penalties. One they kicked to the five metre line. However Mikey Wilson soared in the lineout and cleared the danger. In injury time Greystones had another penalty ten meters out. They ran the ball but Cashel's defence held out. Half time score Cashel 6 Greystones 3. This was a good performance by the home team against the very strong wind.
Cashel resisted some early second half attacks by Greystones. Six minutes into the half they won a lineout inside the opposition twenty two. After a number of phases the ball was flashed to Tom Tobin on the wing and he raced in for an excellent try. He is a big talented winger with a good football brain and an eye for the try line. It was a pity the ball was not passed to him more often during the game as he has what it takes to score tries. Ryan O'Sullivan added the extras as the ball went in off the post. At this stage Cashel were in charge. The pack was on top, the lineout good as Philly Ryan hit the jumper each time. Jack Armshaw was excellent at scrum half with some excellent crisp passing. On fifty two minutes Armshaw made a break from the twenty two and was stopped just short of the line. He offloaded to Jamie Ryan who wriggled his way over the line for a try. Ryan O'Sullivan converted and Cashel were 20 points to 3 ahead. One would have thought Cashel would push on and try to secure a try bonus point. Greystones had other ideas and with ten minutes left they drove upfield and scored a try of their own which was converted with an excellent kick from the touchline. Cashel had the last word with a Ryan O'Sullivan penalty four minutes before the end. Final score Cashel 23 Greystones 10.
This was an important win as Cashel closed the gap on second placed Barnhall who were beaten. While the game was not of vintage standard it nonetheless had some excellent passages of play. The strict rules on high tackles resulted in a high number of penalties and a good number of yellow cards. The game however was played in an excellent spirit.
There are two rounds left in the league. Cashel travel to Belfast next Saturday to play bottom placed Malone. Malone were written off before last weekend but earned a very important win which gives them a lifeline. They will have plenty to play for when Cashel pay a visit.
Cashel team (1-20)C O'Donnell, P Ryan, B Ryan, B Crosse, E Kelly, B O'Connor, C Ryan, M Wilson, J Armshaw, R O'Sullivan, T Tobin, J Ryan, R Kingston, P Leamy, J Evenden, A Shirley, J Evans, J O'Sullivan, J O'Dwyer, D Kelly.